Melvin Leon Keeling Jr., 61, departed this earthly life on May 17, 2010 in Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville, N.C. A native of Norfolk, Va., he was the son of the late Melvin and Margaret Keeling, and was preceded in death by his only son, Brian S. Keeling. He was a member of Hill Baptist Church. He was a 1966 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, and retired from Lipton Tea. He is survived by his wife, Lois Keeling, of Colerain, N.C.; two daughters, Crystal Weaver (Antonio), of Norfolk, and Natalie Keeling, of Suffolk; three stepchildren, Sharon Gaskin, Monica Johnson (Timothy), and Sherell Holly, all of Colerain, N.C.; one brother, Waddell Keeling, of Philadelphia, Pa.; one niece, Kimberly Keeling; 11 grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
A celebration of life will be held Monday, May 24, 2010 at 1 p.m. at New First Baptist Church, 1105 Hosier Road, Suffolk, VA 23434, the Rev. Lemuel Green, officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk. The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, Natalie Keeling, at 300 Fuller St., Suffolk, VA 23434. Wyatt & Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with the homegoing service. There will be a viewing Sunday, May 23 at Wyatt & Sons Funeral Home, Suffolk, Va. between 5 and 7 p.m.